International City Theatre presents Deathtrap. Written by Ira Levin. Directed by Jamie Torcellini. Produced by caryn desai [sic].
Mystery and humor are combined to create a play with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience wondering who will be killed next. Since the beginning, Sidney Bruhl (Geoffrey Lower) gives off a strange vibe, an uncomfortable sense of danger and violence. With a devilish sense of humor, that is. His wife Myra (Jill Remez) seems to perceive the same tension in the air. When Clifford Anderson (Coby Rogers), Sidney’s previous student, shows up with the script of what Sydney thinks would be a Broadway hit, things turn upside down and the real danger starts to emerge.
Playwright Ira Levin also wrote Rosemary’s Baby, a horror novel turned into a famous film in the late 60s. Even tough Deathtrap combines mystery and humor that makes it lighter than Rosemary’s Baby, the play has some pretty intense moments. Lower, Rogers, and Remez do a fantastic job bringing out the violence and humor of the script to make the audience feel on edge in a fun and scary way.
The writing is excellent; it keeps the sense of wonder all the way through. The direction by Jamie Torricelli, The Legend of Georgia McBride, is on point, with a great use of the space and presenting an amazing scenic (Fred Kinney), music (Dave Mickey), and lighting (Crystal R. Shomph) design to reinforce the mystery of the story. This is a unique opportunity to experience what Dr. Julia Wilkins calls “relief theory”, the phenomenon of getting scared with laughter. It’s the perfect show for this Halloween season.
Deathtrap
International City Theatre
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
330 East Seaside Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Performances: Oct. 20 – Nov. 5
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 26, Nov. 2
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 20 (Opening Night), Oct. 27, Nov. 3
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 28, Nov. 4
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Oct. 29, Nov. 5
Tickets: ictlongbeach.org
Written by Ira Levin Directed by Jamie Torcellini. Starring Michelle Holmes, Geoffrey Lower, Jill Remez, Coby Rogers, and Patrick Vest. Produced by caryn desai [sic]. Presented by International City Theatre. Creative team: Set designer Fred Kinney, lighting designer Crystal R. Shomph, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey and prop designers Patty and Gordon Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Donna R. Parsons.
